Morning Briefing

"A stakeholder consultation convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva has reviewed recent epidemiological studies related to HIV transmission and acquisition by women using hormonal contraceptives," a UNAIDS press statement reports (2/16). In a technical statement (.pdf), "[t]he Geneva-based United Nations health agency confirmed its existing recommendations [Thursday] after a study published last year found using contraceptive injections doubles the chance women will catch HIV and transmit it to a male partner," Bloomberg Businessweek reports (Hallam, 2/16). The WHO "concluded that hormonal contraception -- whether the pill or injection -- was safe for women at risk of HIV to use if they wanted to prevent pregnancy," the Guardian notes (Boseley, 2/16).